Sunnyside of Life

Walt Disney World Full Marathon, January 2014

After having experienced the tragic bombing in Boston a year ago, I was encouraged and challenged to complete multiple half marathons and a full marathon.  In some ways, that day continues to have a huge impact on my life.  I was the only nurse in the Chest Pain Center, mentoring my undergraduate nursing student, Abby.  You never want to receive a call about a tragedy that has affected your family, but you never want to receive that same call and have to break bad news to someone else.  Abby's sister and family were in Boston and were running that day.  They were okay, but the sheer panic and heartache that existed for that moment in time, is sometimes still unbearable.

Even though I was mentoring Abby, in hindsight she was really mentoring me.  She was a huge supporter of my running and such an encouragement in my endeavors.  She never questioned my sanity when I would say, "Yes, I'm running a half marathon on Saturday and then a full marathon on Sunday".  She knew it was 39.3 miles and she just understood.  She never once questioned my ability to complete 14 races in 2014 and that spirit of let nothing stop you from being strong is with me at every single race when I read a quote she shared with me from Christian D. Carson's book, Your Forces and How to Use Them.

Promise Yourself... 

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. 
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet. 
To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. 
To think only the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own. 
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile. 
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others. 
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble. 
To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud words but great deeds. 
To live in faith that the whole world is on your side so long as you are true to the best that is in you.

Walt Disney World Half Marathon, January 2014

The spirit and encouragement seen during such a tragic event, like the Boston Marathon, empowers me to know that there is good in the world, even if I don't see if right in front of me everyday.  I like Mister Rogers quote (whose first name is Fred, by the way), “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”

Walt Disney World Half Marathon, January 2014

Every time I run across a finish line I can't help but be reminded of the selfish ways of this world.  Not only because of what happened in Boston a year ago, but because of racism, inequality, and greed that exist everywhere, everyday.  Yes, it's real and present in every aspect of our lives near and far away.  But every time I run across a finish line I can't help but also think about the great accomplishments that have broken down these barriers to peace.  The culture of Marathon Racing is one reason why my hope in humanity is restored.  The atmosphere of strength and endurance fighting with failure and the desire to quit, while being surrounded and encouraged by total strangers for 26.2 miles is indescribable.  Go run a Marathon; I dare you not to be changed because of it.

Shamrock Half Marathon and 8K, March 2014

Walt Disney World Wine & Dine Half Marathon, November 2013

Walt Disney World Jingle Jungle 5K, November 2013